Lifestyle changes
Sleep is essential for our health and wellbeing, yet when we don’t get enough of it, the consequences can be dire. Not getting enough shut-eye can have detrimental effects on our moods, energy levels, mental clarity – as well as making us more susceptible to illness and disease.
If you suffer from a sleep disorder, functional medicine suggests making lifestyle adjustments as part of the treatment process. These modifications can help restore healthy sleeping patterns, lower the risk of chronic diseases and enhance overall wellbeing.
Regularly practicing relaxation techniques is a proven way to promote restful sleep. Yoga, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation have all been linked to reduced stress levels, increased energy levels and prepared bodies for sleep.
Other techniques to help you relax include hypnosis and biofeedback, which use sensors to monitor your breathing, heart rate and muscle tension. These practices can teach you how to identify the triggers that prevent you from getting adequate rest at night and replace them with healthier habits.
Your doctor may also suggest medications to aid in sleeping. These could include over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids like melatonin, drowsiness-reducing drugs, and antidepressants.
These medications may help promote restful sleep if taken temporarily while you establish a good routine. It’s wise to consult your physician prior to beginning their use.
It’s best to avoid late meals within two hours of bedtime and caffeinated drinks at least eight hours prior to going to sleep. Alcohol and nicotine are both stimulants, so limit them accordingly.
If your sleep disorders are due to emotional health, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) could be the solution. CBT is a form of counselling that aims to improve your sleep by altering how you think and behave before going to bed. Additionally, CBT can assist in managing stress, anxiety and other emotional issues that might disrupt sleep patterns.
A sleep study can be beneficial if the cause of your insomnia is uncertain or there’s other evidence of a sleep disorder. This can be done in a laboratory setting or at home using polysomnography, which records brain waves, breathing patterns and eye movements while you sleep.
Functional testing
If you are having difficulty sleeping, it is essential to visit a healthcare provider who can accurately diagnose the source of your issue and offer treatment options. Functional medicine practitioners take into account all potential causes of insomnia and work towards finding solutions to restore healthy rest patterns.
Sleep is essential for our physical and psychological wellbeing. Lack of shut-eye can lead to serious medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and a diminished quality of life.
Insomnia is often linked to chronic health conditions and can be a symptom of either an existing medical issue or psychiatric disorder. It may also be caused by medications or non-prescription drugs like alcohol or caffeine.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disorder in which the airway collapses during sleep. It’s more common among overweight individuals and can be treated with CPAP machines or lifestyle changes like losing weight, having surgery or changing lifestyle habits.
Another common sleep disorder is narcolepsy, which manifests itself when individuals experience frequent night-time naps and REM sleep. This condition can be diagnosed through a sleep lab or home sleep tests and treated with medication.
Insomnia is often linked with Down syndrome (DS), and it can be a major concern for parents and their children alike. Not enough sleep can have detrimental effects on a child’s ability to learn and communicate effectively, placing an immense burden on parents and caregivers.
Insomnia can lead to sleep deprivation, which has detrimental effects on quality of life and may even lead to other medical conditions like asthma, bronchitis, heart disease or high blood pressure. Furthermore, it increases the likelihood of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Furthermore, chronic sleep deprivation has been linked with cancer development.